To increase your curb appeal and keep your lawn and landscaping healthy, the first step is understanding the importance of proper drainage. Not only does it ensure your plants get the water they need to thrive, but it also prevents issues like soil erosion and infrastructure damage that can be costly.
Proper Drainage How to Avoid Issues
Whether you’re building your new home or improving an existing one, the last thing you want is drainage issues that can undo all your hard work. These problems can lead to a flooded basement, a ruined patio, or even water damage to your foundation. According to experts in drainage solutions St Louis MO, it’s crucial to locate the cause of these issues as soon as possible so that you can address them. This includes checking your downspouts, cleaning gutters regularly, and installing perimeter drains.
If you have a problem that requires additional solutions, talk to an outdoor living contractor. They can help you design drainage plans to improve your landscape and eliminate backyard flooding.
Often, drainage problems are caused by the soil type, the plant material, the bed layout, and how your yard is graded. It’s also important to consider the location of your home and other structures like a retaining wall or a newly installed basketball court.
Check Your Downspouts
Your gutters and downspouts direct rainwater away from your home, protecting it from the dangers of standing water. This helps prevent foundation damage, soil erosion, and basement flooding. If you see a lot of puddles around your house during rain, your underground drains are likely clogged. To test for this, look at the bottom of your downspout pipes when it’s raining. In most cases, if your drains are clogged, you’ll see the water gushing back outside the pipe and spilling out of the adapter seams. If you’re concerned that your downspouts are clogged, consider installing splash blocks or a stealth flow connector. These devices sit low and blend in with the landscape or mulch, and they connect to drain pipes that lead water away from your yard.
Proper Drainage: Clean Your Gutters Regularly
Gutters are designed to collect rainwater from the roof and carry it away from the home’s foundation through downspouts. They cannot do this effectively when clogged, and water can overflow or leak into your property.
The frequency at which you should clean your gutters depends on several factors, including the climate and the types of trees that grow near your home. However, gutter cleaning should be done twice a year.
The amount of debris that accumulates in your gutters will also affect how often you should clean them. In areas with many trees, gutters must be cleaned more frequently than in places with less flora and fauna.
Install Perimeter Drains
Your home’s perimeter drain is one of your landscape’s most important drainage systems. With it, your foundation could avoid damage from heavy rains or snow melt in the winter. Your perimeter drain will help keep your foundation from water damage that can cause thousands of dollars in repairs. It also keeps the soil around your home at a consistent moisture level, which can help prevent cracks and other issues. If you want to install a new drainage system in your yard, check with a contractor specializing in this type of work. They will be able to design a system tailored to your needs and ensure that it functions properly.
While installing a new drain is expensive, it will be worth it in the long run. It will keep your home safe and protect its foundation for years!
